Sony Gamers Day 2003: The New PS2, Solved

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Remember that new model PS2? We do too.

By IGN Staff

A few months back at E3, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that a new model PlayStation 2, the SPCH-50,000, would be available this past June. The new model -- internally known as the "H chassis" and currently available in Japan -- supports burned DVD media, removes the i-Link (firewire) port, has a built-in IR receiver, and also supports progressive scan DVD movies. Sadly, and confusingly, June came and went with no sign whatsoever of the new PS2.

Today at the Sony Gamers Day 2003, we couldn't resist the urge to ask what the heck happened to this mysterious console. The answer? Well, it appears that SCEA didn't want the new model to be viewed as a new, superior console. SCEA also didn't want to "confuse" gamers by releasing a PS2 with different features. By announcing the availability of the new console at E3 and not releasing it, it appears that Sony did exactly what it set out not to do.

So are we ever going to see this model? According to Sony, yes. Scheduled for release "within a month," the new model PS2 will quietly sneak its way onto retailer's shelves, though there will be no explicit marker on the packaging to let consumers know they are purchasing the new 50,000 model as opposed to older ones. Confused? Yeah, us too. But nonetheless, be on the lookout for the new model this fall.